Dentist

[igiveup2021]

Netmums I really need your help.
This isn’t really AIBU Related but NHS dentist related. So posting for traffic.
I’ve hit a wall and I don’t know what to do.

I wear dentures (thank you auto immune diseases 😂🤦🏻‍♀️) and had planned extractions last week.
The dentist couldn’t do them. She tried really hard and failed miserably. I got an infection on the weekend. And it’s just been a nightmare as I can’t eat anything at all.
As on top of having no teeth now as my dentures don't fit anymore I have spasms in my throat stopping what I could probably manage, not manage. So I haven't eaten in 7 days.
My dentist emergency referred me a hour out to be sedated but they are saying I won't be seen for FOUR months even though it was an emergency...

I can't go four months without eating. I have no body fat and I'm loosing muscle mass. I weigh a whopping 5 stone,  my doctor has put me on nourishment drinks for now to try and help but I am struggling to keep them down.

Is there anything I can do to get a referral to hospital to have them done as a matter of urgency?
My dentist said she'd refer me to a hostipal but then it turned out to be a private dentist, I'm very worried I won't cope till December and will end up dead from lack of food as I can't live off nourishment drinks forever. I'm finding it extremely difficult to do anything, I have no energy and I feel extremely depressed.

Like it is really bloody hot, if you cant keep stuff like a milkshake down how are you drinking enough liquid? You can deteriorate seriously fast with dehydration.

Do you mind me asking roughly whereabouts you are in the country?

If your weight is that low why haven't the medical drs inserted a tube such as a peg feeding tube? They surely cannot just leave you to waste away?

That's what the GPs next step is, I have a appointment at the end of the week to decide. The hostipal have said as I'm in to much pain is and have swelling they can't attempt the investigation right now without causing possible problems. Basically covering their backs and I don't blame them.
thank you for the suggestions about the dentist, I will follow them up in the morning and see if I can get anywhere. At least if I do end up on a NG tube this will be processed (hopefully a little faster!) in the mean time as I genuinely cannot and do not want to live off a feeding tube.

Please ignore @CarrotSticks23 - obviously if there was a magic way of getting patients seen urgently by secondary care NHS dentistry wouldn’t be in the mess it is! Clearly never had to work in the system themselves and just giving unrealistic expectations of what can be done. The swallowing / neurological issues obviously mean a simple ‘denture adjustment’ won’t work here.

I have worked in both primary care and secondary care @NommyChompers

I’m assuming you’re not currently working as a dentist in primary care @CarrotSticks23 or you would better understand the pressures we are facing at present and how sadly not-unique the OPs situation is

I have worked in primary care dentistry (NHS) up until 2 years ago and have worked in secondary care for many years along side this.

We do expediate referrals if necessary and usually this is with contact from the dentist. The dentist has referred OP in as an anxious patient requiring sedation, so not even an appropriate referral

A denture adjustment is something really quick and simple that may help OPs dentures fit and enable her to eat. Op could manage with her dentures up until the extraction, she was having her swallowing difficulties at this time.

I do understand there are a lot of pressures on primary care, there is equally lots on secondary care. But that's not am excuse to not manage your emergency patients

NHS dentistry is not in the mess it is because there are long waits for secondary care. It is because primary care is not properly funded in any way shape or form

How tall are you op? That 5 stone is very worrying

I'm getting somewhere. The manager is investigating now
They don't understand why they've made certain decisions and was horrified I've been left like this knowing that the dentist knew my issues before deciding to do the extractions. So I have to wait a few days but she's promised once she's more informed she will do everything she can to help me even if it means Putting me through to a private dentist at the practice whose more experienced, as she knows that I cannot be left four months without food.

Thank god! gonna have to brave it with foritisips for now.

The reason why you're waiting so long is because it's under sedation. Whose idea was this? If you can have it under LA it can be done much sooner. Your original dentist should have referred you into the hospital urgently to have them out

It was the dentists ideas. She kept pushing sedation as I'm nervous (but I managed last time so I think I can cope again!) even though I've said I'm happy not to have sedation if it means I can eat faster. I really don't have a clue what's going on, manager is sorting it I don't have enough brain power for it my brain is shutting down on me a bit lol.